Emirates Completes Ground Engine Tests on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Photo © Emirates - Disclosure.
Emirates has successfully completed the ground engine testing for one of its GE90 engines on a Boeing 777-300ER using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The objective of the ground testing and analysis is to demonstrate the capability of the GE90 engine to run on the specially blended 100% SAF without affecting its performance, requiring no modifications to the aircraft systems, or special maintenance procedures on the Boeing 777-300ER or GE90 engine to operate. SAF reduces carbon emissions over the fuel’s life cycle by up to 80%.
The ground test results will now pave the way for the
airline’s first experimental test flight using 100% SAF in one engine, which is
due for take-off this week. The testing activities involved running one engine
on 100% SAF and the other on conventional jet fuel to better analyse the fuel
system´s behaviour and performance under each fuel type, compare specific
outputs of each engine, and ensure seamless operation of the aircraft’s engine
and airframe fuel systems during the planned test flight.
During the ground testing at the state-of-the-art Emirates
Engineering Centre in Dubai, the aircraft first went through its standard
pre-inspection activities. After that, the stationary operating testing began
by first running the Honeywell 331-500 auxiliary power unit (APU) on 100% SAF.
The APU was then put under full load with SAF to start the engines. The left
engine was exercised through its full power range, utilising the same settings
that will be used for the experimental flight. This included idle, ‘take-off’
and ‘climb settings’ at full flight profile durations, running at maximum speed
and intensity. Engines were then run at ‘cruise’ settings for 15 minutes. After
the simulation ended, the engines were cooled down. Fuels were isolated in
separate fuel tanks to maintain segregation of test fuels. Upon completion of
the ground test, engine data was downloaded for review, comparison, and
analysis.
At the Dubai Airshow 2021, Emirates, GE Aerospace and Boeing
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a programme for
conducting a test flight using 100% SAF on an Emirates 777-300ER powered by
GE90 engines.
Emirates has been working with its partners GE Aerospace,
Boeing, Honeywell, Neste and Virent
Inc., a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corp throughout 2022 on SAF
fuel blend testing. The partners have developed a blend with the same qualities
and performance characteristics of conventional jet fuel and have collaborated
on the technical analysis and operational requirements surrounding ground
testing and experimental flight activities. The results of this initiative will
provide additional data and research around synthetic fuel blend components and
biofuels, supporting standardization and future approval of 100% drop-in SAF.
Following the successful trial on one engine, Emirates will then continue to
develop these initiatives with the engine airframe manufacturers as well as SAF
providers with the goal of certifying these blends for commercial use.
Currently, SAF is approved for use in blends of up to 50% with conventional jet
fuel.
Emirates has long been a supporter of industry and
government efforts to encourage the development of the SAF industry, and
regularly participates in initiatives to contribute to SAF deployment. Its
first flight powered by SAF blended with jet fuel was in 2017, operating from
Chicago O’Hare airport on a Boeing 777.
Emirates received its first A380 powered by SAF in December 2020, and
uplifted 32 tonnes of SAF for its flights from Stockholm earlier that year,
with the support of Swedavia’s Biofuel Incentive Programme. Flights from Oslo
have also begun operating on SAF.
Emirates is on the Steering Committee of the World Economic
Forum's (WEF) Clean Skies for Tomorrow initiative, which seeks to promote SAF
deployment worldwide. The airline has also contributed to the UAE government’s
work on a SAF roadmap and the WEF-supported Power-to-Liquids Roadmap for the
UAE.
*DISCLAMER:
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